Members of the engineering fratenity will from now on start taking oath in a move designed to enhance credibility, accountability and diligence in the profession.
Prof Ninatubu Lema
The Engineers Registration Board (ERB) Chairman, Prof Ninatubu Lema, said in Dar es Salaam that the oaths will for the first time be administered at a function to be held tomorrow and Friday, as part of the Engineers’ Day celebrations.
“We are doing this purposely to ensure that engineers act more responsibly and we have legal grounds to hold them accountable with their oaths,” he said. Friday is the climax of the Engineers’ Day celebrations.
He said that in the previous years, the ERB used to serve engineers with copies of code of ethics but now it has found it necessary to go an extra mile and make them take oath in public. Over 1,000 engineers are expected to participate with over 50 companies expected to take part in exhibitions at Mliman City in Dar es Salaam.
The occasion will be graced by the Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli. He pointed out that the major topic of the debate this year will be: “The impact of globalisation on engineering practice in Tanzania”.
Prof Lema added that best graduates from various universities will be awarded as well as best engineering firms. Meanwhile, engineers have been urged to conduct laboratory test on all the building materials amidst increased supply of inferior goods that have led to poor quality of structures.
The ERB Registrar, Eng Steven Mlote said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that engineers who will be found guilty of using inferior building materials will face legal action.
Eng. Mlote added that it is the role of responsible professional engineers to ensure that materials they use in construction are of acceptable qualities.
“We know that building materials like any other goods are not exceptional when it comes to poor quality, therefore engineers should conduct laboratory tests to ensure that they use materials that are of good quality,” he said.
He further said that Tanzania has few cases of collapsing buildings that are associated to faults of engineers, compared to other countries but cautioned that preventive measures were important to avert future risks.
He pointed out that so far the country has registered four accidents of collapsed buildings in the city of Dar es Salaam in 1996, 2006, 2008 and 2013, cases which are relatively fewer when compared to other countries in East Africa.
By ABDULWAKIL SAIBOKO, Tanzania Daily News
